Calabria

Calabria is the toe of the boot of Italy with Catanzaro as its capital city and it is surrounded by the stunning Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas. Calabria is also not very far away from Sicily, the regions are separated from by the Strait of Messina, which is where a bridge between Sicily and the mainland was planned to be built but it hasn’t happened yet and is largely unknown to tourists, due to its position and the absence of a major airport, however, there is plenty to see and do in this fantastic region.

From visiting the National Museum of Reggio Calabria which is home to the famous and mysterious Riace Bronzes which are thought to have been created between 460 and 450 BC and are an example of two of the very few remaining full-size Greek Bronzes to a number of intriguing and beautiful national parks such as the mountainous La Sila and the Pollino National Park, which is the largest national park in the whole of Italy and is home to a wide variety of species of trees and wildlife.

Calabria, to the Italians, is mainly famous for its beaches, with golden sands and beautiful clear blue waters, Capo Vaticano is particularly spectacular and has been named as one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world. Like Calabria is famous for its beaches, calabrian food is famous for being spicy, very spicy and one of the most famous local food is the Nduja, a spicy, spreadable pork salami.

Although this region may not come immediately the mind when thinking about Italian wine, Calabria could be considered one of first regions to grow grapes, their wine making history goes back to the Grecian times, Calabria wines like the rest of the region, are pretty unknown to international wine drinkers, with the total production being one of the smallest amongst the Italian region, with the main grapes being Gaglioppo for the reds and Greco Bianco amongst the whites.